Preschool children help one of their own

NEW BEDFORD — Nadia Abouchanab will never attend King's Kids Pre-School, but she was very much a part of a valuable lesson there.

TYRA PACHECO

NEW BEDFORD — Nadia Abouchanab will never attend King's Kids Pre-School, but she was very much a part of a valuable lesson there.

The students joined forces recently to raise money for Nadia, who has been battling leukemia since April 2006.

"Being a Christian school, we want them to know how to care and pray for others," said Caroline LeBlanc, a teacher who helped coordinate the fundraiser.

"Every morning they lifted her up in prayer."

The school sent home a notice to parents, which included a Standard-Times article about Nadia's struggle with cancer, and details about the fundraiser.

Dwindling enrollment has led King's Kids to close its doors at the end of this year. Although the school has only 15 students, the group was able to raise $1,060 to help offset the Abouchanab family's bills.

With the help of their parents, the students, ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years old, asked neighbors, friends, and family members to purchase candles. Half of the proceeds went to the family.

"People are good and caring, but I had no idea in my mind how much the amount would be," said Ms. LeBlanc. "To me, $1,000 was over the top."

After the fundraiser was completed, the school contacted the Abouchanab family, and plans were made to have Nadia visit the school.

"We told (Mr. Abouchanab) we had something for him, but we didn't tell him it was a monetary gift," said Ms. LeBlanc.

The teachers explained to the students that Nadia has to be protected against any kind of germs or infection, and the staff had pink and blue masks ready for the students.

When the 3-year-old was unexpectedly hospitalized, her father, Bisher Abouchanab, brought Nadia's brother, Adel, to meet the pre-schoolers. In addition to the check, the students presented Adel, a former King's Kids student himself, with a gift basket and a handmade card.

"They sat down with the children and let them ask questions," said Ms. LeBlanc. "The kids asked how old she was. They asked how she got sick. They asked where she is. They wanted to see her, of course."

Ms. LeBlanc is hopeful that Nadia will be able to come and meet the children before King's Kids closes its doors for good next month.